Method, systems and computer program products for data logging

Abstract

Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for transferring log data to a server over a wireless network from a plurality of remote devices. The server is configured to receive data from the plurality of remote devices. A transfer period is scheduled for transferring log data from a remote device to the server taking into account a wireless network signal strength of the remote device for the scheduled transfer period. The scheduled transfer period does not overlap a time when an estimated wireless network strength is too low to transfer the log data.

1. A method for transferring log data to a server over a wireless network from a plurality of remote devices, said method comprising:
 constructing a transfer plan for each of said remote devices by allocating a transfer period to each of said remote device according to the amount of data expected to be transferred to said server; 
 selecting an entry within said transfer plan for one of said remote devices having an imminent transfer period; 
 acquiring an actual transfer size for log data to be transferred from said selected one remote device; 
 determining, for said selected one remote device, a transfer period including a start time and an end time to transfer said log data to said server based on said actual transfer size; 
 acquiring, for said selected one remote device, an actual wireless network signal strength for said transfer period; 
 determining whether or not said actual wireless network signal strength is below a predetermined threshold; 
 in response to a determination that said actual wireless network signal strength is not below a predetermined threshold, transferring said log data from said selected one remote device to said server; and 
 in response to a determination that said actual wireless network signal strength is below said predetermined threshold, aborting said transfer of log data from said selected one remote device to said server. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said aborting further includes
 determining a new transfer period for said selected one remote device; and 
 updating said selected entry within said transfer plan for said selected one remote device with said new transfer period. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said constructing further includes
 selecting one of said remote devices; 
 acquiring an estimated transfer size for log data to be transferred from said selected remote device; 
 determining, for said selected remote device, a transfer period for transferring log data to said server based on said estimated transfer size and availability of download bandwidth of said server; 
 estimating, for said selected remote device, wireless network signal strength during said determined transfer period; and 
 storing said determined transfer period in said transfer plan if said estimated wireless network signal strength is not below a predetermined threshold. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein said storing further includes determining, for said selected remote device, a new transfer period for transferring log data to said server based on said estimated transfer size and availability of download bandwidth of said server if said estimated wireless network signal strength is below said predetermined threshold. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 3 , wherein said acquiring further includes acquiring said estimated transfer size for log data to be transferred from a profile data stored within said selected remote device. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein said profile data includes a connectivity profile and a download profile. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said method further includes updating said transfer plan based on actual network usage and bandwidth forecast information.